The Heat are now focusing Chalmers on another word that starts with the same letter: consistency.

After a strong start, Chalmers hit a lull during the second portion of the team's six-game road trip. He has shot just 11 of 25 from the field in the past five games. Although he scored 9 points against the Milwaukee Bucks on Wednesday, Chalmers was on the bench in the closing moments.

"Everything can change game to game," Spoelstra said. "Coaches don't have an agenda other than to win. So, the game will tell us what direction to go to. Sometimes we don't make the right decisions. He understands. When he's consistent, we are a much, much better basketball team."

Chalmers started impressively, recording two 11-assist efforts in the opening five games. His improvement as a playmaker was praised by teammates and the coaching staff.

"He's going to have to be that way," guard Dwyane Wade said. "We know when Mario plays great, we're an unbelievable team. We expect so much out of him. When he doesn't play great, it's a tough night for us."

Before the season began, Chalmers talked about how consistency was his biggest challenge. He ended last year with a strong performance in the NBA Finals, scoring 25 points in Game 4 against the Oklahoma City Thunder. That is the level he expects to play at this season.

"It's a long season," Chalmers said. "I just got to keep going. I just can't keep having bad games in a row."

Chalmers said a strained triceps was part of the reason for his struggles of late. The injury occurred against the Denver Nuggets on Nov. 15, limiting him to just seven minutes. He's experienced stiffness at times, but said "it's getting better every day."

Wade said Chalmers has to realize the opposition will challenge him each night because he's won a championship.